Course Overview

The MSc in Geographic Information and Climate Change gives cross-disciplinary training in the scientific basis of GIS, satellite remote sensing and earth system modelling, alongside aspects of climate change.

You will concentrate on the technical aspects of GIS and earth observation, as well as the past, present and future global and regional environmental and climatic change.

By graduation you will have hands-on experience and technical knowledge in GIS and remote sensing, supported by a broad knowledge of scientific issues underpinning climate change.

Your learning benefits from the combined Geography and Biosciences research expertise of our staff around geographic information, environmental and climate dynamics, marine and ecosystem biology, and sustainable development.

Why Geographic Information and Climate Change at Swansea?

UK Top 20 for research quality [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2019]

Top 75 in the world [51-75 (out of 200) in the new Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2017]

World ranked in the top 250 [QS World University Rankings 2017]

Earth Science world ranked 201-300 (out of 300) in the new Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2017

You will be taught by a range of inspiring experts in geographic information and climate change.

These include Professor Adrian Luckman, who earned global media coverage for climate change research into the collapse of the Larsen C ice shelf; Professor Peter North, who has collaborated with NASA on the ‘greening-up’ of the Amazon; and Professor Siwan Davies, whose work focuses on establishing why climate change has changed abruptly over the past 100,000 years through the investigation of volcanic ash deposits trapped in ice sheets.

Your Geographic Information and Climate Change Experience

Over the course of study you acquire a deep knowledge of the current scientific issues underpinning geographic data, climate change and environmental dynamics.

Our exceptional computing facilities support your studies from start to finish. These include fifteen dual-processor workstations for Earth Observation, a 20-node multiprocessor Beowulf cluster, and the Department’s IBM ‘Blue Ice’ supercomputer, which is mainly used for climate and glaciological modelling.

Upon graduation you will have developed the practical problem-solving and communication skills needed for a successful career in the wider industry.

The first part of this MSc contains compulsory and optional 20-credit modules on subjects such as modelling earth systems, satellite remote sensing and climate science and policy. The second part exclusively involves a 60-credit research project module on geographic information and climate change.

If you are a Welsh speaker our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.

The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.

The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.

A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.

One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our *TEF data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

You will be taught by world-class lecturers who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as climate change, glaciology, poverty alleviation through control of disease and pollution risks from wildfire ash, help to change the world for the better.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study:
It is now possible for some students to study part-time under the Tier 4 visa route. This is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category. Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies.
To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's
scholarships and bursaries
page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.
For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

You will have employment opportunities in utilities, county councils, the environmental service industry or regulating bodies. A future career in academia will also be open to you. Our graduates have progressed to a range of stimulating roles. Below are just a few examples.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your
personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic
Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas
such as:

Academic writing

Maths and statistics

Critical thinking

Time management

Digital skills

Presentation skills

Note taking

Revision, memory and exam techniques

English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,
mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have
Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and
requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Our lecturers operate an ‘open door’ policy so you can chat with them about any concerns you may be having. These do not have to be just course related; our academic staff are there to help you with anything at all during your time in Swansea.

Each course has a student rep. They are there to make sure that every student voice is heard. Their role is to listen and feedback on your opinions, attend regular meetings and make sure that the people who can make changes listen to the people who really matter - you!

We offer both academic mentoring and peer mentoring.Our Peer mentoring scheme is in place to help new students settle into university life here at Swansea. You will get a chance to talk to your mentor who can tell you about their experiences as a student and also chat about student life. The peer mentoring scheme is a great way to meet students and widen your friendship circle while at Swansea.